Preheat oven to 350°.,Grease (three) 3 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pans.,Add hot water to raisins and set aside; cool.,Mix (with electric mixer) shortening, sugar and molasses until light and fluffy.,______,Sift remaining dry ingredients together and toss in chopped nuts. Gradually beat flour-nut mixture into creamed mixture and add raisins and water.,Mix until all dry ingredients are moistened. Pour batter into loaf pans (evenly divided) and bake 1 hour.,Cool for 10 minutes, then turn out of pan and cool on rack.